Sen. Mike Hastings

Urges PJM Interconnection, LLC to expeditiously adopt market rules and policies that will ensure the continued operation of the existing fleet of nuclear power plants in Illinois. Urges PJM Interconnection, LLC to prepare a report showing how the premature closure of the Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, and Lasalle nuclear power plants in Illinois will affect reliability and capacity for the Midwest region and the impact on wholesale electric rates.

Amends the Citizens Utility Board Act. Provides that the Citizens Utility Board is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Requires the Citizens Utility Board to comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act.

Urges the Illinois Commerce Commission to prepare a report examining the impact on residential, commercial, and industrial electric rates from the closure of Illinois' Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, and LaSalle nuclear power plants prior to the expiration of their respective licenses. Further urges the Illinois Power Agency to prepare a report showing how the closure of the Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, and LaSalle nuclear power plants prior to the expiration of their respective licenses will affect reliability and capacity for the Midwest region.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that solicitations (currently, only Non-construction solicitations) that include Business Enterprise Program participation goals shall require bidders and offerors to include utilization plans. Provides that failure to complete and include a completed utilization plan shall render a bid or offer non-responsive. Provides that those who submit bids or proposals for State contracts, whose bids or proposals are successful and include a completed utilization plan but that fail to meet the goals set forth in the solicitation, shall be notified of that deficiency and shall be afforded a period not to exceed 10 calendar days from the date of notification to cure that deficiency in the bid or proposal. Provides that the deficiency in the bid or proposal may only be cured by contracting with additional subcontractors owned by minorities or women subcontractors, or by increasing the work to be performed by previously identified vendors owned by minorities or women subcontractors. Provides that in no case shall an identified subcontractor with a certification be terminated from the contract without the written consent of the State agency or public institution of higher education entering into the contract. Makes conforming and other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the deficiency in the bid or proposal may only be cured by contracting with additional subcontractors owned by minorities, women, or persons with disabilities (currently, minorities or women subcontractors), or by increasing the work to be performed by previously identified vendors owned by minorities, women, or persons with disabilities (currently, minorities or women subcontractors).

Amends the Cannabis Control Act. Makes changes concerning the amount of cannabis flower, THC in a cannabis-infused product, or cannabis concentrate subject to a civil penalty. Provides that civil penalties apply to nonresidents if they possess an amount greater than one-half that which Illinois residents may possess. Replaces penalties for the possession of substances containing cannabis in varying amounts with penalties for the knowing possession of varying weights of cannabis flower, THC in a cannabis-infused product, and any substance containing cannabis concentrate. Replaces penalties for the manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver or manufacture substances containing cannabis with penalties for the manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver or manufacture varying amounts of cannabis flower, THC in a cannabis-infused product, or cannabis concentrate. Provides that any person who knowingly brings or causes to be brought into this State for the purpose of manufacture or delivery or with the intent to manufacture or deliver 10 kilograms or more of cannabis flower, 200 kilograms or more of THC contained in a cannabis-infused product, or 2 kilograms or more of cannabis concentrate (instead of 2,500 grams or more of cannabis) in this State or any other state or country is guilty of cannabis trafficking. Changes the penalties for cannabis trafficking. Makes changes concerning the sentencing of persons under the Act who have not previously been convicted of a felony.

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Removes a provision requiring the Department of Central Management Services to prepare a report showing, on a fiscal year by fiscal year basis, the amount by which the State's cost for health insurance coverage under the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 for retirees of the State's universities and their survivors has declined as a result of requiring some of those retirees and survivors to contribute to the cost of their basic health insurance. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews group accident and health policies providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment or services for illness entered into on or after January 1, 2021 shall ensure that the insured have timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Provides that network adequacy standards for timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions must satisfy specified minimum requirements. Provides that if there is no in-network facility or provider available for an insured to receive timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions in accordance with the minimum network adequacy standards, the insurer shall provide necessary exceptions to its network to ensure admission and treatment with a provider or at a treatment facility in accordance with those network adequacy standards. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each qualified teacher is entitled to an income tax credit in an aggregate amount equal to 50% of the tuition costs incurred by that teacher at a public university in the State. Provides that each qualified teacher may take no more than 20% of his or her aggregate credit amount in any taxable year. Provides that the term "qualified teacher" means an individual who (i) graduated from a public university in the State, (ii) is employed as a teacher in this State during the taxable year, and (iii) has been employed as a teacher in the State for at least 5 consecutive years as of the first day of the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Employment Article of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that specified requirements related to public contracts shall be completed prior to contract execution.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that all small purchases and all other contracts entered into under the Code with an annual value of more than $50,000 shall be accompanied by Standard Illinois Certifications in a form prescribed by each chief procurement officer.